The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published the final version of the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code, which will come into effect on 1 January 2027.

The Code is the global framework that harmonises anti-doping policies, rules, and regulations across all sports and countries. It plays a vital role in protecting clean athletes and ensuring fair competition at every level of sport.

The final 2027 Code includes a small number of technical updates from the version approved in December 2025 at the World Conference on Doping in Sport in Busan, Republic of Korea. These updates were made to improve clarity and consistency, including aligning clauses, correcting references, and making formatting and grammatical refinements. Importantly, these adjustments do not change the overall meaning or interpretation of the Code.

Supporting implementation

To support sporting organisations and stakeholders in preparing for the new Code, WADA will launch its 2027 Code Implementation Support Program (CISP) in March 2026. This program will provide practical guidance and educational resources, including:

  • Factsheets and checklists

  • Presentations and webinars

  • Video tutorials and educational materials via WADA’s Anti-Doping Education and Learning (ADEL) platform

WADA will also host a series of Regional Symposiums in 2026, including an Asia and Oceania symposium in Beijing, China, in June 2026, to help organisations prepare for compliance ahead of the 2027 implementation.

What this means for the bowls community

World Bowls is committed to upholding the highest standards of clean sport and will continue working closely with WADA and member organisations to ensure athletes, coaches, and officials are informed and prepared ahead of the 2027 Code coming into force.

Further updates and guidance will be shared with the global bowls community as implementation approaches.

Key documents

The following resources are available from WADA: